In a bold and unprecedented move, the Punjab government has rolled out a landmark initiative to help transgender individuals step out of the shadows and into respected, self-reliant lives.
Under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision “Transgenders will earn a respectable livelihood, not beg,” the province has, for the first time, launched a comprehensive technical skills training program tailored specifically for the transgender community.
In its first phase, 1,600 transgender individuals will receive hands-on training through the Punjab Skills Development Fund in areas such as IT, freelancing, tailoring, fashion design, electrical work, solar technology, beauty services, culinary arts, and healthcare assistance.
Maryam Nawaz condemned society’s mistreatment of trans persons, stating, “They are often pushed to the margins, forced to beg due to lack of opportunities. We aim to prove that talent knows no gender.”
She emphasized that the mission goes beyond skills training—it’s about restoring dignity and securing their rightful place in society. “This revolutionary vocational program is already changing lives,” she added.